Stoning

A form of punishment (Lev. 20:2; 24:14; Deut. 13:10; 17:5; 22:21) prescribed for certain offences. Of Achan (Josh. 7:25), Naboth (1 Kings 21), Stephen (Acts 7:59), Paul (Acts 14:19; 2 Cor. 11:25).

[Punishments]

STON'ING was the most general punishment inflicted on notorious criminals, and is usually meant where no other description of capital punishment is expressly mentioned, as in Lev 20:10. Idolaters, blasphemers, Sabbath-breakers, incestuous persons, and stubborn or rebellious children were liable to it. The culprit was led out of the city and, as some have supposed, was bound. The witnesses against him were required to commence the work of death, and probably they divested themselves of clothing that it might be done more effectually. Acts 7:58. At the murder of Stephen they committed the custody of their clothes to Saul, who was not improbably, from his talents and ardor, a ringleader of the mob and one of the most violent of the persecutors, and the multitude followed the example of the leaders until the victim was beaten to death. The Rabbinical writers say that the first stone was cast by one of the witnesses on the chest of the convict; and if this failed to cause death, the bystanders proceeded to complete the sentence. Some think that the frequent taking up of stones by the Jews to throw at our Saviour, and the stoning of Stephen, Acts 7:59, and of Paul, Acts 14:19, were vestiges of a punishment called the "rebels" beating," inflicted by the mob, with fists, staves, or stones, on the excitement of the moment.